Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

874. To ask the Minister for Health the cost currently reimbursed to a GP for providing a patient with a full schedule of visits under the maternity and infant care scheme; when this cost was last changed or reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32465/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme (MICS) provides an agreed programme of care to all expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland. This service is provided by a family doctor (GP) of the woman’s choice and a maternity unit or hospital. Women are entitled to this service even if they do not have a medical card or GP visit card.

The GP provides an initial examination, if possible before 12 weeks, and a further 5 examinations during the pregnancy, which are alternated with visits to the maternity unit or hospital. In the case of a significant illness, e.g. diabetes or hypertension, women may have up to 5 additional visits to the GP. After the birth, the GP will examine the baby at 2 weeks and both mother and baby at 6 weeks.

The fees payable to GPs under the scheme are set out in the Health Professionals (Variations of Payments to General Practitioners) Regulations 2016, as shown below; these fee rates were last changed in 2013.